Describing an integrated partnership approach to improving sexual health literacy and service navigation for international students in Sydney, Australia

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BACKGROUND: The population of international students (IS) in New South Wales (NSW) continues to grow post-COVID-19, with IS a key priority within NSW Health HIV and sexually transmissible infection (STI) strategies and efforts. Evidence shows gaps in sexual and reproductive health knowledge (SRH), and barriers to accessing services, including stigma, unfamiliarity with the Australian healthcare system and service cost concerns. Although the existing NSW International Student Health Hub website provides tailored information, awareness and utilisation of statewide and local sexual health preventive services remains limited. METHODS: A partnership between Sydney Local Health District and the NSW Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service implemented a localised, culturally responsive health promotion program. Consultations with IS and student services informed strategies to improve SRH literacy, strengthen service navigation, and enhance supportive environments. Key strategies included developing a local International Student Health Directory, peer and service capacity building, dissemination of SRH information through culturally responsive health stalls, and a mobile STI screening clinic on a university campus. RESULTS: This review describes the program delivery between January 2024 and March 2026. More than 5000 international students engaged with 28 health promotion stalls, with >2500 health directories distributed. The peer capacity-building program trained 106 student leaders, with participant sexual health knowledge increasing from 75 to 91% in pre- and post-training assessments. Campus-based STI screening tested 22 students, and identified one undiagnosed case of syphilis. CONCLUSION: A health promotion program delivering localised, multifaceted and partnership-driven activities can strengthen IS SRH literacy, service navigation and engagement with demonstrated transferability across NSW.

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